The Fruits of Dialogue

(9 December 2005 - RV) Pope Benedict received the World Methodist Council in an audience this morning. In his message to the delegates, who have been in Rome for meetings with the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, he recognized the progress made during the past 40 years of dialogue which has born fruit in common statements on social teaching and next year's signing of the Declaration on Justification - a document originally signed between the Catholic Church and the World Lutheran Federation in 1997. Philippa Hitchen spoke with Methodist Bishop Sunday Mbanga, who delivered the official response by the council to Pope Benedict's greeting.